How to Fix Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro Not Showing 5G Network

The release of the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones has generated excitement among tech enthusiasts. These flagship devices boast impressive features, including the latest Android 14 operating system and support for 5G connectivity. However, some users have reported issues with their Pixel 8 series smartphones not showing a 5G network. If you’re one of these users, don’t worry! In this guide, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of troubleshooting solutions to help you resolve this problem and get your 5G network up and running again.

Restart your phone

One of the simplest troubleshooting steps you can try is to restart your Google Pixel 8 or 8 Pro smartphone. This can help resolve any software issues that may be causing the 5G network not to show up.

To restart your phone, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the Volume up + power button simultaneously.
2. A restart button will appear on your screen. Tap on it and wait for your phone to restart.

If the restart doesn’t solve the issue, proceed to the next solution.

Check signal strength

It’s important to check the signal strength of your network connection, as weak signal strength can prevent your Pixel 8 smartphone from detecting the 5G network. If you notice that the signal bars at the top right corner of your screen are weak, it’s likely the cause of the problem.

To improve your network strength, consider the following options:

• Move to a location with better network coverage.
• Get closer to 5G network towers if you’re in a remote area.
• Ensure there are no physical obstructions blocking the signal.

If weak signal strength is not the issue, proceed to the next solution.

Enable and Disable Airplane mode

Enabling and disabling Airplane mode is a common troubleshooting technique that can help resolve network-related issues. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Pull down the notification bar on your Pixel 8 smartphone.
2. Tap on the Airplane mode icon to enable it.
3. Wait a few minutes and then disable Airplane mode by tapping on the icon again.

After disabling Airplane mode, check if the 5G network is now showing up. If not, try the next solution.

Reinsert SIM card

Sometimes, the issue may be with the physical SIM card in your Pixel 8 smartphone. Over time, the SIM card may experience wear and tear or become dislodged. Follow these steps to reinsert your SIM card:

1. Turn off your smartphone by pressing and holding the power and Volume up buttons, then selecting the power off option.
2. Use a SIM ejector pin to pull out the SIM tray.
3. Take out the SIM card, inspect it for any damage, and clean it with a cloth.
4. Place the SIM card back into the slot and reinsert the SIM tray into your phone.

Check if the 5G network is now visible on your Pixel 8 smartphone. If not, proceed to the next solution.

Allow Roaming services

If you’re in a location outside your default service provider’s coverage area, you may need to enable roaming services on your Pixel 8 smartphone. Here’s how:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Scroll to the Network & internet option and tap on it.
3. Select your SIM card.
4. Turn on the toggle for Data roaming. If prompted for permission, tap OK.

Check if the 5G network is now visible. If not, try the next solution.

Update Android

If you’re using an early build of Android 14 on your Pixel 8 device, it’s possible that there are bugs affecting the 5G network connectivity. Check for any available updates for your smartphone and install them.

To check for updates and install them, follow these steps:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap on the System option.
3. Tap on the System Update option.
4. Tap on Check for updates. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
5. After installing the latest build of Android 14, restart your device and check if the 5G network is now visible.

If the issue persists, proceed to the next solution.

Reset Network Settings

Resetting your phone’s network settings can help resolve network-related issues, including the 5G connectivity problem. Follow these steps to reset network settings:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Scroll and find the option System, then tap on it.
3. Inside the System menu, tap on Reset Options.
4. Select Reset Mobile Network Settings.
5. Enter your phone’s PIN or password when prompted.
6. Tap on Reset to confirm the action.

After the reset is complete, check if the 5G network is now visible on your Pixel 8 smartphone. If not, proceed to the next solution.

Manually search for network operator

In some cases, manually selecting your network operator can help resolve network connectivity issues. By disabling automatic network selection and manually choosing your preferred network, you may be able to restore the 5G network on your Pixel 8 smartphone.

To manually search for a network operator, follow these steps:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Scroll and find the option Network and Internet, then tap on it.
3. Select SIMs.
4. Disable the option for Automatically select Network.
5. Wait for your phone to scan and display the available networks.
6. Tap on your preferred network operator from the list.

Check if the 5G network is now visible. If not, try the next solution.

Change network type

Ensure that your connection is set to 5G by selecting the appropriate network type. Here’s how:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Scroll and find the option Network and Internet, then tap on it.
3. Select SIMs.
4. Choose your service provider name.
5. Locate the Preferred network type option.
6. Tap on it and select the network type as 5G.

Check if the 5G network is now visible on your Pixel 8 smartphone. If not, proceed to the next solution.

Wipe Cache

Corrupted cache files can sometimes cause network issues on your Pixel 8 smartphone, including the 5G network not showing up. Clearing the cache partition can help resolve this problem.

To wipe the cache partition, follow these steps:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Connect the device to your PC using a USB cable.
3. Press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously.
4. Release the buttons when the Android Recovery menu appears on the screen.
5. Use the volume buttons to navigate to the Wipe Cache Partition option in the recovery menu.
6. Press the Power button to select it.
7. Confirm your action by selecting Yes in the following menu.
8. Your smartphone will prompt for a system reboot. Press the power button to confirm.

After the reboot, check if the 5G network is now visible. If not, try the next solution.

Factory Reset

Performing a factory reset on your Pixel 8 smartphone can help resolve software-related inconsistencies that may be causing the 5G network issue. However, please note that a factory reset will erase all data on your phone, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

To perform a factory reset, follow these steps:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Scroll and find the option System, then tap on it.
3. Inside the System menu, tap on Reset Options.
4. Tap on Erase all data (factory reset).
5. Scroll down and tap on Reset.
6. Enter your security PIN to confirm your identity.
7. Tap on Erase all data.
8. Your phone will restart, and the reset process will take some time to complete.

After the restart, check if the 5G network is now visible on your Pixel 8 smartphone. If not, try the next solution.

Wait for the next stable version of Android 14 or downgrade to an older build

If you started experiencing the 5G network issue after a recent update, it’s possible that the problem lies with the build of Android 14 you’re using. Waiting for the next stable version of Android 14 to be released by Google may resolve the issue. Alternatively, you can consider downgrading to an older build of Android 14 that was previously available for your Pixel 8 series smartphone.

To wait for the next stable version of Android 14 or downgrade to an older build, follow these steps:

1. Keep an eye on official announcements from Google regarding new builds of Android 14.
2. If you’re currently using an early stable build, check the Google website for previous builds of Android 14 and download the appropriate file for your device.
3. Manually install the older build of Android 14 on your smartphone.

After installing the latest build or downgrading to an older build, check if the 5G network is now visible. If not, proceed to the final solution.

Contact your service provider

If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting solutions provided but still can’t see the 5G network on your Pixel 8 smartphone, it’s time to contact your service provider. Reach out to them via phone or visit their office to explain the issue you’re experiencing. They should be able to provide you with further assistance and solutions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have covered a range of troubleshooting solutions to help you resolve the 5G connectivity issues on your Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro smartphones. By following these steps, you can hopefully get your 5G network up and running smoothly. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy browsing!